Kuwait - Intimidation of workers to stop strike (2013)

In February 2013, around 100 cleaning workers employed at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour’s social care homes staged a strike at the Social Care Compound in Ghernatah demanding an increase in their monthly pay from KD60 (160 EUR) to KD100 (260 EUR). Moreover, workers stated they were forced to pay KD100 for each annual leave request. The Bangladeshi embassy, at the request of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, visited workers individually and told them they could be deported for strike action. On the day of the strike, management called police who broke up the strike by threatening workers.